Hosts get Barracuda accolade

A Teeside hotel has beaten off the challenge of 150 rivals from across the country to be named unit of the year by its owners, the Barracuda Group. The 60-bedroom Blue Bell Lodge at Acklam, near Middles-brough, took the plaudits at the national managed pub and bar company's annual awards ceremony in Sheffield. Barracuda Group chief executive Mark McQuater said: "The awards recognise that across the company we have dedicated and top quality staff. The team at the Blue Bell in particular have built an enviable reputation for their extremely high standards right across the board." Area manager of the year was scooped for the second successive time by Varsity's Jackie White. Best new pub development was Manchester's Barracuda Bar while Varsity's Aberystwyth unit came out top for the largest increase in catering sales. Managers at the Stapylton Arms in Eston, near Middles-brough, Shaun King and Sue Moore, received an outstanding achievement award for the pub's consistently high performance. Full award listings:

Largest sales increase (uninvested pubs) ­ Varsity Leicester 1 (Friar Lane)

Largest sales increase (invested pubs) ­ Red Lion, Chester-le-Street, Co Durham

Largest profit increase (uninvested pubs) ­ Varsity Sheffield 1 (West Street)

Largest profit increase (invested pubs) ­ The Proverbial, Reading

Unit of the year ­ Blue Bell Lodge, Acklam, near Middlesbrough

Largest catering sales increase ­ Varsity Aberystwyth

Best new pub development ­ Barracuda Bar Manchester

Area manager of the year ­ Jackie White, Varsity

Award for outstanding achievement ­ Stapylton Arms, Eston, near Middlesbrough